No, startup life isn't better than this. But the point is that either of them is better (probabilistically, I think - I know of plenty of my research friends who hate doing what they do) than being a creatively restrained minion in a large company.
Btw, compensation wise, MSR is one of the best as well. The only (and quite serious) downside to MSR is their stupid insistence on using Windows everywhere. Researchers absolutely hate that.
Btw, compensation wise, MSR is one of the best as well. The only (and quite serious) downside to MSR is their stupid insistence on using Windows everywhere. Researchers absolutely hate that.